[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 28 (Thursday, March 6, 1997)]
[Senate]
[Page S2028]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 PARTIAL BIRTH ABORTION BAN ACT OF 1997

 Mr. BURNS. Mr. President, I rise to express my strong support 
for S. 6, the Partial Birth Abortion Ban Act of 1997. As a cosponsor of 
this bill, I want to take a moment to discuss why it is so important 
that we act on it as soon as possible.
  Mr. President, as my voting record shows, I have always voted pro-
life on issues concerning abortion. However, my support for S. 6 and my 
vote on the partial birth abortion ban during the 104th Congress was 
not simply a moral judgment on abortion. This debate is not about 
reproductive choice; it's not even about abortion. Partial birth 
abortion is a cruel procedure and is abhorrent to most Americans. In 
fact, most physicians believe it is never medically necessary. This 
procedure is far beyond human decency.
  Mr. President, it is shocking to me that the debate over partial 
birth abortion is even necessary. A procedure whereby a child is partly 
delivered and then its brains are suctioned out has no place in a 
civilized society. It certainly has no place in America. Let's join 
together, pro-life and pro-choice, and do the right thing. Let's put an 
end to this cruel procedure.

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